About me

At Women in Art Exhibition with Dominika (Dubai, 2011). Photo courtesy of Ahlan! Live (www.ahlanlive.com).

Early years: Born on the streets of rural China (literally) to peasant parents and immigrated to Canada at age 4. Raised in a working-class neighbourhood of Toronto (South Riverdale).

Teen years: Bounced around 5 high schools, finally graduating from Riverdale Collegiate Institute in Toronto. Worked as a busboy-turned-waiter at the Organ Grinder (a family restaurant noted for having a working theatre organ inside it). Was arrested twice as a young offender.

University years: Attended the University of Toronto (Hon BSc in economics & mathematics) and Princeton University (MA, PhD in economics). Worked as part of the stock crew (midnight shift) at a national supermarket, and as a bartender at the Harbourfront Centre while attending the U of T.

Internships: Consulting internship at LECG (Toronto and Washington DC). Banking internship at Sal. Oppenheim (Köln and Frankfurt). All of my internships came after I had graduated from the U of T.